Wood encourages following guidelines

Everyone has had to adjust to a new way of life these days, and Alabama State Rep. Debbie Wood is no different. She conducted a phone call with the Valley Times-News on Tuesday while tending to her granddaughter.

With the daycare she goes to being closed, it was Wood’s turn to watch the 2-year old.

Wood said she believes Gov. Kay Ivey has done a good job through the current healthcare crisis, crediting her for listening to experts to help her make the right choices for Alabama.

“She has really leaned on [State Health Officer] Dr. Scott Harris and different individuals to help her make the decisions that need to be made,” Wood said.“That is proof of a strong leader, when you try to do everything on your own, you know you are not a strong leader. I think she has done a great job.”

Wood also credited local leaders as well saying they have done a great job and have been encouraging everyone to patronize local businesses during this crisis.

“Think about how many small businesses are impacted by this,” she said. “Some have employees that get paid week-to-week, and that is how they live. Even if you go apply for unemployment right now, with the fast-track system, it’s still going to take time to get the money you need.”

Wood had a message for those that have to continuing working during this crisis.

“I know it’s hard. We want to do everything we can to keep everyone safe,” Wood said. “We definitely don’t want to downplay this, but you know, there’s some people that feel like they still need to work and want to work.”

Wood said she is inspired by the way the community has responded, and she thinks Chambers County will bounce back even stronger.

“We’ll be different after the crisis. We won’t take as many things for granted, and we will do a better job taking care of our health and those are the positives,” Wood said. “There will be negative, but there’s going to be positives and that is what we have to focus on.”

She asked that everyone follow the guidelines health care professionals are recommending and use telemedicine.

“My momma taught me that when you see people, you hug them, you love on them, you touch them,” she said. “That’s just how we are in the south but you can’t do that right now.”